Docked at 7.00a.m. and had a car booked at Hertz for 8.00a.m. Joan and Bill joined us for the day as we drove up to the villa we will be at on the 9th July to pay the owner the balance of the money in cash and generally have a drive through the Tuscan and Umbrian countryside, we all so enjoyed the day. Took off from Cittavitavecchia around 9.00a.m., getting used to new GPS early on took a wrong turn which added another ½ hr to our trip but not to worry we had all day. We went through some amazing villages Orieveta was one of the most sturnning then winding up and down through the hills it was a kaleidoscope of colours in the valleys below, makes you feel all warm and fuzzy!! Beautiful!! Arrived to meet Jacopo at Villa at 11.30a.m. and he gave us a quick show around as Saturday is change over day and he had guests arriving again. The villa is lovely, down the end of a lane, manicured gardens and the place is spotless. After sorting out a few things with Jacopo headed up into the village for lunch, beer and vino rosso…mmmm yummy! Joan

and Bill said it was the best pizza they have had thin crust, light and so so tasty! The village had their Saturday market on so had a look there…girls who are coming over its worth a look around. In Italy shops close 1.30p.m. Saturday for siesta and don’t open til Monday, every day they have siesta from 1.30p.m. and reopen shops at 5.30p.m. …takes a bit of getting used to. Left Citta della Pieve around 1.45p.m. and arrived back at Hertz 4.00p.m. only dampener on day was I left camera in car realizing that after we had put keys in out of hours slot and ship leaving in two hours…arrrgggghhhh! So I guess its iphone photos from now on. A young policewoman left a note in Italian for us to put down the slot but she did not give us much confidance that we would get the camera back. Apart from that little mishap we all did have a wonderful day getting back on board around 6.15p.m. and now sailing at sea for two days until Lisbon. Will be interesting in Lisbon have booked a tour, “We Hate Tourism Tours”, looks like fun and 6 of us are going

Getting excited now........Evening, been trying very hard to not wish my life away , wishing this trip would start, cos I don't want it to be over.... Does that make sense ?
But getting your blog this morning, and seeing that pizza and cold beer, and I'm done for !!! Roll on July 5 ! Bring it on !!
We have moved our departure date a day earlier, and will now have 2 nights in Hong Kong....
Very looking forward to it !
Anything you can think of you want us to bring ?
Having dinner ( aangan ) with mark next week, that will be nice ....... All else okey dokey ....
Big ( excited ) kisses
Mr and Mrs 18 xxxxxx

WESTBURYSHi Leesy, Yes we are getting excited too! Up around the South Coast of France at present, very cold 18 degrees! We were glad we could go out and see where we are going to stay and were impressed, its very cute, built in 1700's but spotlessly clean, great spot about one and half klm to the village which is great. Its good you having a couple of days in Hong Kong! Look forward to seeing you on the 8th July Glor and John xx